Which of the following best describes tactics in a criminal justice strategy?

Specific actions to carry out a strategy are critical in the context of criminal justice because tactics involve the practical implementation of broader plans or strategies designed to address crime and enhance public safety. In this framework, tactics translate strategic goals into actionable steps that law enforcement and other agencies can take in their day-to-day operations.

For example, if a law enforcement agency’s strategy is to reduce drug-related crimes in a community, the specific tactics may include increased patrols in high-traffic drug areas, undercover operations, community outreach programs, or drug education initiatives. These concrete actions are essential for meeting the overarching objectives laid out in the strategy and are tailored to adapt to the challenges presented in the criminal environment.

In contrast, other options such as general theories regarding crime, long-term objectives of an agency, and results from criminal investigations represent different components of the criminal justice framework. Theories inform the understanding of crime and help shape strategies, long-term objectives set the vision for an agency over time, and investigation results are data points that can inform both strategies and tactics but do not directly signify the practical actions taken. Therefore, the identification of tactics as specific actions is what best encapsulates their role in the criminal justice strategy.